MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER QUOTE SHEET
SATURDAY, MAY 14, 2005 - COLORADO RAPIDS 2, CHIVAS USA 1
COLORADO RAPIDS HEAD COACH FERNANDO CLAVIJO
On the effort:
"Not only did we win and set aside three points, but the attitude was tremendous. The attitude was great. We play all the way together. And the team played well and managed to play with that adversity at the end. We played well and I can't complain at all about the effort of the players."
On substitutions:
"We didn't come to tie, we came to win. I tried to get fresh legs and make a change in the midfield. They scored a great goal from nowhere and [Ryan] Suarez isn't going to score beautiful goals like that all the time. I felt all the time that we could do it, and we should take it to them."
On back line development:
"Ricky Lewis came out through all kinds of problems and performed extremely well. There was a bit of lack of communication in the back but it is expected when you make so many changes. Overall, I'm satisfied. We wanted to play to win the game and we were finally able to do that."
COLORADO RAPIDS DEFENDER GUY MELAMED
On playing a different position:
"I felt comfortable, all of the teammates helped me, and I played it before so it's not like it's the first time I've ever played it. I played it last year so I am pretty comfortable."
On change in team function, substitutions, and more offensive mindset:
"I felt the biggest difference today was the attitude and the mentality. Nothing they [Chivas] did - including the referees - broke us and we kept our heads up even after the red card. We didn't go back; we wanted to win. It was a big character test for us and I feel like we passed it, but again we have another game coming up so it needs to continue."
On the crowd:
"It was a great atmosphere, even though there were a lot of Chivas fans. Both crowds were in the game and I think it added to the atmosphere."
CHIVAS USA HEAD COACH THOMAS RONGEN
On the game and his team:
"We knew this would be a tough game. It's always tough to play in Colorado. We're both fighting for points, valuable points, and potential points toward the playoffs. Even though it's early in the year, the way things are going it's a crucial game. We are both tied at four points. We got the PK to get back in the game at 1-1. Unfortunately we were not able to finish off the job and we gave up a goal at the end that we could have prevented. It's a tough pill to swallow, to come in here and get zero points."
On substitutions and bringing in Isaac Romo:
"At one point in time we wanted to force the issue. We were down one-to-nothing. You need to be aggressive and get forwards in the game, which we did but we were not able to create as many chances as I would have liked. The guys in there were guys that have played for us before, played down in Mexico; these are guys with experience. We just weren't able to put the ball in the back of the net."
